AtkinsRéalis reaffirms commitment to Armed Forces community with Covenant Renewal
Image courtesy AtkinsRéalis
The Armed Forces Covenant - a public promise by signatory organisations to demonstrate support for the Armed Forces Community, including veterans, spouses, cadet force adult volunteers, and reservists - has been a cornerstone of AtkinsRéalis' equality, diversity and inclusion efforts to support the military community. AtkinsRéalis originally signed the Covenant in 2015, employing hundreds of veterans, reservists and volunteers since then, and has now renewed its commitments for the future. The company currently employs over 200 members of the Armed Forces Community across the UK and, as a strategic supplier to the UK defence market, has a long history of supporting the armed forces alongside its commitment to veterans.
Richard Robinson, AtkinsRéalis UK & Ireland President, said: “Renewing our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant is more than a pledge - we're investing in exceptional talent. The skills and experiences that members of the Armed Forces Community bring to our organisation are invaluable. Their leadership, problem-solving abilities, and resilience significantly enhance our capabilities and culture. This renewal reflects our unwavering support for the Armed Forces Community and our recognition of the immense value they bring to the civilian workforce.”
Vice Admiral Sir Chris Gardner KBE, Chief Executive Officer of the Submarine Delivery Agency, welcomed AtkinsRéalis' renewed commitment: “The support of employers like AtkinsRéalis is crucial to the Defence People objectives. By publicly pledging their support, AtkinsRéalis not only demonstrates that the Armed Forces Community is valued by society but also sets an example for other organisations to follow. The skills and training that military personnel bring to private employers are exceptional – from nationally recognised qualifications to invaluable soft skills honed in challenging environments. It's heartening to see AtkinsRéalis recognise and nurture this talent pool.”
As a strategic supplier to the UK defence market, AtkinsRéalis has worked with defence organisations for decades to support the delivery of major programmes across land, maritime, air and joint environments, providing expertise in engineering, infrastructure, advanced digital technologies and major programme delivery. Through its role as one of three Engineering Delivery Partnership for the UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) function, AtkinsRéalis is also working across a range of projects including cyber security, environmental and safety, training and systems engineering.
As part of the renewal, AtkinsRéalis has introduced new pledges including:
• Increased engagement, mentoring, and feedback for Armed Forces Community candidates seeking to join the company.
• Enhanced encouragement for employees to join the reserves, strengthening the connection between civilian and military sectors.
• Amplified efforts to engage with cadet forces across the UK, focusing on increasing social value and STEM impact.
The renewed Covenant builds on several key existing commitments from AtkinsRéalis, including:
• Continuing its Partnering with the Armed Forces (PwAF) programme to coordinate company-wide UK Armed Forces engagement and advocacy activities, representing a commitment at the highest levels of the company.
• Guaranteeing that every Armed Forces Community candidate who applies for a role will have access to advice and mentoring before any interviews upon request.
• Supporting the employment of veterans by recognising military skills and qualifications in the recruitment and selection process.
• Maintaining the Gold Award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which the company has held since 2015.
AtkinsRéalis has strong track record of supporting the Armed Forces Community, having established its Partnering with the Armed Forces (PwAF) programme in 2015 and signing the Women in Defence charter in 2019 and the Fighting with Pride’s ‘Pride in Veterans' Standard (PiVS)’ in 2024. The firm was recently ranked 11th in the prestigious Top 50 GREAT British Employers of Veterans benchmark.
AtkinsRéalis continues to offer tailored benefits for veterans and reservists, including encouraging Service leavers to use their enhanced learning credits for resettlement after joining. The company actively engages with military resettlement organisations and conducts events to support veterans transitioning to civilian careers.
